CLINTON SAYS IT: `I'M VERY SORRY'.

Byline: Roger Simon Chicago Tribune 

Unable to leave his troubles at home, President Clinton felt compelled Friday to state in clear and unequivocal terms that he was ``very sorry'' about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

``I've already said that I made a bad mistake, it was indefensible, and I'm very sorry about it,'' Clinton told reporters at a photo opportunity with Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.

For 18 days following his address to the nation on the Lewinsky matter, Clinton has avoided saying he was sorry even after advisers urged him to do so in order to dampen growing criticism, including within the Democratic Party.

Two things changed Clinton's mind: First came American media coverage of Clinton's joint press conference with Russian President Boris Yeltsin on Wednesday that emphasized Clinton's continuing refusal to offer a formal apology either for his behavior or for misleading the American public for seven months.

Then came a stinging rebuke by Democratic Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut on Thursday calling Clinton's behavior ``disgraceful'' and ``sordid.'' Lieberman, a longtime friend and political ally of Clinton, also implied the president's lack of a direct apology was making matters worse for him.

``Because the conduct the president admitted to that night was serious and his assumption of responsibility inadequate, the last three weeks have been dominated by a cacophony of media and political voices calling for impeachment or resignation or censure,'' said Lieberman.

Lieberman phoned the White House before he made his statement to give the president advance warning.

Clinton's chief of staff, Erskine Bowles, implored Lieberman to wait until the president returned from his six-day trip to Russia, Northern Ireland and Ireland, so that Clinton would not be embarrassed in front of other world leaders.

Lieberman, feeling Clinton had waited long enough and had refused to use the Yeltsin press conference to adequately apologize, declined to wait.

Clinton's aides felt a clear and simple apology was now unavoidable and could not wait for the president's return to the U.S. on Saturday.

So in the elegant, wood-paneled office of the Irish prime minister, filled with red upholstered armchairs, a towering oil portrait of Irish patriot Eamon de Valera, and a bust of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Clinton said he had no problem with Lieberman's biting castigation of him.

Clinton: `I agree'

``Basically, I agree with what he said,'' said Clinton. ``I can't disagree with anyone else who wants to be critical of what I have already acknowledged was indefensible.''

On Aug. 17, Clinton said: ``Indeed, I did have a relationship with Miss Lewinsky that was not appropriate. In fact, it was wrong. It constituted a critical lapse in judgment and a personal failure on my part for which I am solely and completely responsible.''

He also said that evening: ``I know that my public comments and my silence about this matter gave a false impression. I misled people, including even my wife. I deeply regret that.''

But some pressed Clinton to express remorse in unambiguous terms.

So before he began his meeting with Ahern to discuss Irish peace and prosperity, Clinton took questions at a photo opportunity.

`Not for me to say'

When one reporter asked him if Lieberman's comments were ``helpful,'' Clinton replied: ``It's not for me to say. But there's nothing that he or anyone else could say in a personally critical way that I . . . would disagree with, since I have already said it myself, to myself.''

He added: ``And I'm very sorry about it. There's nothing else I could say.''

Ahern looked on blankly while Clinton made his comments, struggling to show no reaction to Clinton's embarrassing admission. At a luncheon with the president later in the day, Ahern was accompanied by his lover, Celia Larkin, for whom he left his wife in 1992. Though Ahern is still married, his relationship with Larkin has not hurt him politically.

Clinton appeared relaxed and calm as he spoke, smiling slightly as he stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

The president was also asked if he thought a vote of censure by the Senate would be appropriate.

In his speech on the Senate floor Thursday, Lieberman said: ``We in Congress, elected representatives of all the American people, are surely capable institutionally of expressing such disapproval through a resolution of reprimand or censure of the president for his misconduct. But it is premature to do so, as my colleagues of both parties seem to agree, until we have received the report of the independent counsel and the White House's response to it.''

The censure issue

Clinton said of censure Friday: ``My understanding is that was not a decision that was made or advocated clearly (Thursday). So I don't want to get into that. If that's not an issue, I don't want to make it one, one way or the other. I don't think that's appropriate right now.''

Asked later why the president was now saying he was sorry for his actions, White House press secretary Mike McCurry said: ``I think he said he's sorry because he is.'' McCurry added that the president's words were heartfelt and he indicated that Clinton had not spoken his last words on the matter either publicly or to his family.

``I think the president clearly does not believe that one conversation, one statement, one speech is going to be sufficient in addressing this matter the way he wants to,'' said the press secretary, ``and he intends to keep addressing it both personally and, to the degree he needs to, publicly, as he sees fit.''

Moral consequences

McCurry was also asked if Clinton believes there are moral consequences to his actions that he still needs to address.

``I think that is surely the case,'' replied McCurry.

In Washington, officials said House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., Democratic leader Rep. Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., and other top House leaders will meet next week to review plans for receiving an expected report about Clinton from Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr.

Democrats have complained that Republicans have excluded them from the planning under way in anticipation that Starr will submit a report on impeachable offenses.

Gephardt's spokesman, Erik Smith, quoted the congressman as saying: ``If this process must begin, it is among the most serious responsibilities Congress will undertake and it must be conducted in a truly bipartisan manner.''

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PHOTO President Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton wait on stage at the Royal College of Surgeons on Friday in Dublin, Ireland.

J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press